Two of seven teens arrested over alleged Westfield Doncaster stabbing were on bail
Seven boys were arrested following an alleged violent stabbing which unfolded in front of shocked shoppers at a Melbourne shopping centre on Friday.
9News can exclusively reveal two of the teenagers allegedly involved were already on bail for an alleged hit and run in Warranwood last month, which left their 14-year-old female passenger fighting for life.
The recent alleged incident broke out between the group inside Westfield Doncaster's food court yesterday, in front of families eating dinner.
READ MORE: Boeing to lay off 17,000 staff to recoup finances during strike
Seven boys were arrested following an alleged violent stabbing which unfolded in front of shocked shoppers at a Melbourne shopping centre on Friday. Nine
Security guards were forced to use chairs to block the alleged offenders as heavily armed police were called in about 5.30pm.
Police alleged a box cutter was used to stab three boys, who were all taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Seven teenagers aged between 13 and 17 were arrested, including two of the three boys hospitalised.
Five have since been released on either bail or pending further investigation.
Security guards were forced to use chairs to block the alleged offenders as heavily armed police were called in about 5.30pm. 9News
A 15-year-old and 16-year-old faced court this evening.
"It's not good. Teenagers, it's happening a lot these days. It's scary," one shopper said.
"We were a bit cautious coming here just because we didn't know what was gonna happen," another said.
"It's scary coming to shopping centres. You see this happening all the time now. Something needs to change," a third said.
READ MORE: Man charged for alleged hit and run that left cyclist fighting for life
Seven teenagers aged between 13 and 17 were arrested, including two of the three boys hospitalised. 9News
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said officers are focused on holding youth offenders to account.
"We've certainly had significant offending and we are totally focused on holding youth offenders to account," he said.
"We are throwing everything we can to make the community safer."
Westfield Doncaster has since offered counseling to staff members and has bolstered security throughout the centre.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
Australian woman who died after falling from cliff near Bali was Queensland ecologist
PM ‘stunned’ over Pauline Hanson’s attack on his late mother
One Nation’s drastic plan to slash migration by 750,000 slammed by farmers
Sydney family’s warning after discovering father’s lost super years after his death